The car is still new enough that there are very few that are both well prepared, tuned properly and driven by an advanced level pilot. That said and given the same level of mods, the ND is quicker than any other year Miata, the FRS and close to an S2000.

Thanks. Close to S2000 times sounds right. New cup cars looking to be running towards the pointy end of TTD times, maybe into C times. I'd expect a tuned h/e car on some Xidas and R7s to be even faster. I like the idea of having a car that's faster than my VVT swapped NA, with all the modern comfort of a new car.

Thanks. Close to S2000 times sounds right. New cup cars looking to be running towards the pointy end of TTD times, maybe into C times. I'd expect a tuned h/e car on some Xidas and R7s to be even faster. I like the idea of having a car that's faster than my VVT swapped NA, with all the modern comfort of a new car.

Our shop car is already quite a bit faster than than the GCC and that was with just 150whp and 235 RC1's before we had the suspenion or brakes fully dialed. This from two drivers involved in the GCC program after having driven our car. With 180whp and 245 RE71R's, suspension and brakes dialed, it's quite a bit faster. So 100% stock engine other than header, exhaust and reflash on pump gas, coilovers, sway bars, wheels/tires and a small Wilwood front kit. With that, about 4s under SM Hoosier lap records on a 2:00 course.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go for a ride with Brian in the GWR shop car. Holy smokes, was I impressed.

The tuning did not give the car the top end pull I would really like, but that's not surprising given the dyno results (and sharp power drop above 6500 rpm). But the torque was truly impressive.

That being said, the drive did far more to sell me on the Ohlins than it did on the tune/exhaust. Yes the 40+ whp was noticeable and impressive, but the way that car cornered even with bumps as absolutely astonishing. It was also still comfortable.

Shopping list has begun, and I think it's mostly from the GWR catalog this time round... though may still end up with 6ULs.

Thanks a million Brian.

Also got to check out the LFX swap project and chat with Ryan, but that's a post for another thread very cool project though. Solid group!

And STILL, STILL I can't get a damn answer about headroom in the stock fuel system for E85 with that header.

If the header/tune is really doing that AND there is still headroom for E85.........I will seriously consider taking the hit on the BRZ and picking up an ND. Then XIDAs and 6ULs would be on order before I left the parking lot.

So question: most of the talk here about suspension is people saying they'll buy Xidas. Why would you guys be picking the Xidas over the Ohlins for the ND?

I trust Emilio for suspension design more then I trust Ohlins when it comes to the miata. I am doubtful anyone has spend as much R&D specifically on the miata as he has, and then has national wins using the suspension parts.

I trust Emilio for suspension design more then I trust Ohlins when it comes to the miata. I am doubtful anyone has spend as much R&D specifically on the miata as he has, and then has national wins using the suspension parts.

This.

Plus I already owned a set of XIDAs for my track rat NA, that occasionally saw the street on Rcomps. They were awesome.

^thats what I've been thinking. On my NB I went with the Xidas because it's a proven solution at $1k ish less than MCS. But Ohlins are fantastic quality, and they're only $20 more when comparably equipped (no helper springs). Adding helpers to the Xidas and then subtracting club orange makes it only $120 more than the Ohlins without helpers.

Decisions, decisions. I love my Xidas but was suuuuper impressed with the Ohlins on the GWR shop car.

The ND Xida are specific length and stroke, slightly different than OEM. During development we discovered some potential tire/wheel interference issues both front and rear with our biggest combination during that we were able to compenste for. This is done with OEM ND mounts.

We have Billet coaxial mounts for the ND Xidas in the works. They should be ready in a week or two.

I wonder if they results would have been different on the driver side of the MX-5. I was talking to a friend who works at a Nissan plant in the "body shop" where shells are actually built and he said that all their cars have more material on the driver side than the passenger side to pass insurance tests.

I dunno'. At least on older Miatas, driver vs. passenger side impact protection seems really similar -- and Mazda's home market is RHD. It's interesting watching the side airbags work though. I'm actually amazed at how both cars protect the occupants, those are hard hits.

I wonder if they results would have been different on the driver side of the MX-5. I was talking to a friend who works at a Nissan plant in the "body shop" where shells are actually built and he said that all their cars have more material on the driver side than the passenger side to pass insurance tests.